Family Traditions

2 Timothy

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

I was thinking of Easter this morning and the many Sundays I spent in church with my mother, my grandmother, my aunts, and various other relatives. My father seldom attended with us except on special occasions. I don’t recall any of the other Simmons men attending church services unless someone died or got married. The Springer men could usually be found not only attending, but teaching classes, leading singing, or taking care of business.

My religious upbringing, like most other aspects of my life, was somewhat unconventional and constantly undergoing change. But regardless of where we were (CA or OK), which building we were entered (Baptist Church or Church of Christ) or who actually sat next to me, there was always a sense that our family traditions included worshipping God. I just had to be mindful of the subtle differences in expectations between the two factions. I was a young woman before I finally made my own choice between them.

As a teacher I had the opportunity to observe many, many families during my career. As a genealogist I’ve read and recorded the history of many other families. I’ve always felt a sense of strength and unity in those families who considered themselves members of a religious group. They tend to display an “us against the world” confidence that is sometimes lacking in those who have built their lives on the continually changing values of society.

My own family was far from perfect. Our church attendance was often sporadic because of our nomadic lifestyle. But when we were settled, when we called some place “home”, we always found a church where we could carry on our family’s tradition.